Biden to travel to Rome in January to meet with Pope Francis

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis and U.S. President Joe Biden meet as they attend the G7 summit, in Savelletri, Italy June 14, 2024. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden will travel to Rome in January to meet with Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the White House said on Thursday of a trip that will take place shortly before Biden's term in office ends.

Biden will also meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella during the visit from Jan. 9 to Jan. 12, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.